It’s interesting—despite my abiding love of fantasy, and though you could, perhaps, characterize the greatest movie ever made (okay, well, my favorite movie of all time, anyway)—that would be Ghostbusters, for those of you haven’t been paying attention—as urban fantasy, I have not read especially deeply into that particular (sub)genre. And, to the extent that I have, it’s been forays into stories more like the brilliant The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep than, say, the works of Laurell K. Hamilton or Jim Butcher.
So, I can’t say for sure whether Slayton’s debut is typical of the genre, though given that the book bounces betwixt the backwoods of rural Oklahoma and more traditionally urban environs in Colorado, it may be more accurate to call it “rurban fantasy” (I would say “urbal fantasy,” but, aurally speaking, that implies the ingestion of substances unnecessary for the enjoyment of this tale). I can say, however, that it’s absolutely fantastic.
Slayton pulls off the exceedingly difficult feat of smoothly integrating the fantastical elements of his world into the “real” world, creating a cast of complex and compelling characters (not to mention one heck of a love triangle), devising an engaging magic system, and spooling out plot at just the right pace. Despite ending at just the right spot for the story, the book ended far too quickly for my liking. I want more, dammit, and, thankfully, Slayton will fulfill that wish with subsequent sequels.
If you dig fantasy that’s down-to-earth but epic in scope, characters who are flawed but fascinating, and smooth prose that drives the story forward without distracting from it, White Trash Warlock is well worth a read. If you don’t like those things, I mean, what even are you?
One other thing worth noting, because it’s something I love about the inclusiveness of fantasy as a genre (warning: I’m about to get all soapboxy). I’m a privileged straight white guy who grew up middle class in the suburbs. My family never faced food insecurity. I never witnessed domestic violence. And, I’ve never faced the heartache and discrimination of being LGBTQ+ (or in any other underrepresented group) in a family or society that distances itself from, disrespects, or otherwise dehumanizes anyone who doesn’t conform to whatever that family/society considers “acceptable.”
But, reading about characters whose lived experiences differ so greatly from mine didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story in the slightest. On the contrary, it enhanced it, offered me new insight, and reminded me yet again that when we forge a bond through a shared love or passion for something—fantasy stories, in this case—we can bring our truest and most authentic selves to the table and raise the level of enjoyment and engagement for everyone. Okay, I’m off my soapbox now.
Bottom line: this is a heck of an entertaining yarn. Bring on the sequel!
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David Slayton's White Trash Warlock delivers everything I needed in fiction and more
I just finished one if the most exciting, deeply emotional, and funny fantasy novels I've read, possibly ever. The world building is superb. The twist on Elves, Gnomes, Dwarves, witches, and even Reapers is perfect and reflects a fresh take from what we're used to in the genre. Characters like Adam, Argent, and Vic stole my affection forever. I couldn't get enough of them on the page, or the constant twists crafted with precision. I absolutely love oscillating between breathless swift page turns, a meriad of emotions as relentless as the story I'm reading. The writing is remarkable. The action is breathtaking, but that's not all that steals my heart and my affection. The central romantic storyline is so earnestly written I had trouble seeing these characters as anything but lifelike, which even some of my favorite baithirs sometimes struggle producing. But David Slayton brings the entire sorry home. The binger in me remains hotly unsatisfied that I must wait a full year for the sequel! Cruel injustice!! Ha! I'd be remiss to not comment on the critical romantic subplots. Growing up, I longed to read a healthy, delightful gay romance and here it is. This book is everything I could have dreamed I wanted and Adam Binder should be counted as one of the most meaningful LGBTQ main protagonists available today. Adam's story, growing up in conservative religious household in a hostile community, and later the surprising search to love oneself and others and to be loved and heal with ones family resonated within me. That's the power of literature to transport us to a place of deep meaning. It's impossible to describe all of what I feel. I strongly recommend this to all fantasy readers for it's thrilling pace, heartfelt characters, masterful worldbuilding, and compassionate handling of sensitive cultural issues that leaves everyone validated. Consider this for LGBTQ youth looking for a protagonist they relate to. And for everyone looking for their next book, pick up White Trash Warlock. And for David Slayton, thank you. This was everything I didn't know I needed.
Top reviews from other countries
Tiago Kietzmann
I wish I had read it sooner!
Reviewed in Brazil on February 2, 2024
Ziggy Nixon
Un mystère passionnant et souvent effrayant !
Reviewed in France on February 7, 2024
David Alexander Geister
~300 pages and you can't put it away after starting.
Reviewed in Germany on October 27, 2023
Dini
Unique urban fantasy full of supernatural creatures, magic and likeable characters!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2021